Effects of Ti microalloying on the microstructure and mechanical properties of acicular ferrite casting steel for high-speed railway brake discs

Abstract

Owing to the continuous interest on high-speed railway trains, research on the brake disc made of ferritic cast steel with high strength and toughness, and the manufacturability of complicated cooling fins has been conducted. In acicular ferrite, Ti is a major element; however, studies on the effect of Ti composition on the mechanical and impact properties are limited to a Ti content of up to 0.05 wt%. In this study, the microstructure and mechanical properties of high-speed railway brake disc steel material with 0–0.12 wt% Ti were investigated. The specimens were subjected to the same quenching–tempering heat treatment, in which acicular ferrite formation was observed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), electron probe microanalyzer, and transmission electron microscopy. Ferrite blocks, such as acicular ferrite, granular bainite, bainitic ferrite, and polygonal ferrite, were characterized in detail and quantitatively analyzed by EBSD. For different Ti contents, ferrites of various morphologies were noted. Moreover, the types of precipitates were determined to be cementite, Cr-rich carbide, V-rich carbide, and Ti-rich carbide. The highest hardness, impact toughness, and strength were measured with the addition of 0.06 wt% Ti. The crack propagation mode in the impact specimen was observed using fracture surface analysis. In addition, the relationship between the microstructure and mechanical properties, such as strength, toughness, and hardness, was discussed based on the alloying Ti content. In this study, the effect of acicular ferrite and precipitates on toughness in ferrite casting steel was confirmed, and the optimal Ti content was confirmed.